“MY SUPPORTS”

I would have to describe my factors within my daily environment that are supportive to me; and the benefit these support.

I would have to start with my husband, Rich. He is my Number One Support. I would have to say every day he tells me how proud of me he is; and he has been the number one supporter of me continuing my education. Richie has been the one to help me understand that I can do it. He has told me on several occasions to breathe and I can make it and that twenty four months is not really that long. The benefit I see as having Richie be a supporter for me is that without him I might have given up on school. He is such a big impact on my life. He has helped guide me and listen to my complaining as well as my successes.

The second supporter I have to support me is my co-worker and friend, Kim. Kim helps me on a daily basis. She is there as I get stressed over work, as well as being there for me in my personal life. We have become very close over this last year. She has taken on the role of “little sis”. Without her support and guidance my job would be more stressful. We do things in our personal life together as well. She and I have taken trips together; just mini vacations. When we are together we laugh and laugh. Having someone I can be this close with is a great asset to my life.

Without the support how would I exist…..hummmm I began to think about this as I was writing what supports they are to me, and I began to tear up. The thought of having to face daily life without my husband and best friend made my heart ache. The thought of waking up to the other side of my bed cold broke my heart. The thought of going to work and not seeing Kim was just as bad. Taking my steps in life without them beside me was terrible to say the least. I just hope and pray that I will never have to find out. I know that one day it is conceivable that my husband may die; or my best friend moves away. I will hope I do not become depressed. I know that this will surly happen. If something like this does happen I know I will need to seek help. I know life does not end with the closing of one door. I just pray that I never will have to experience that closing.

My daily life is better because of these two people. I wake to my husband’s voice every morning. He leaves early in the morning but will always kiss me before he leaves. My life has been so impacted because of him. He is my rock, my foundation. My husband is my best friend, my lover, my everything.

My friend Kim, she supports me, and shows me that I don’t need to be serious all the time. Laughter helps the sole. I laugh so hard when I am with her I cry. I cannot image my world without her. We are always talking or texting. We are always together. Everyone at work laughs when they see one without the other. They want to know where our side kick is.

With these two people in my life there will be nothing but benefits. 

MY CONNECTIONS TO PLAY

“My Connections to Play” by Diana Cox

QUOTES= what play represented for me in my childhood.

Play is often talked about as if it were a relief from serious learning. But for children play is serious learning. Play is really the work of childhood.

Fred Rogers

There is always one moment in childhood when the door opens and lets the future in.

Graham Greene

PICTURES OF ESSENTIAL PLAY ITEMS FOR MYSELF WHEN I WAS YOUNGER=

 Mrs. Beasley doll was from the 1972 TV show Family Affair. Mrs. Beasley was there for Cissy after her mother died. I had many losses in my childhood and I felt like Cissy, Mrs. Beasley was the only one there for me.

 This is the Chrissy Doll, 1970’s she was given to me and became my best friend; she and I had many adventures. She was one of my first students as I played teacher. J Who would have know that I would grow up to become a teacher? Chrissy is still with me today. She sits and watches over me as I complete my homework each week.

These two toys are something that I spent many hours playing with the one on the right allowed me to enhance my “teaching” skills the one on the left enhanced my “imagination” skills.

HOW THE ROLE OF PLAY WAS FOR MYSELF WHEN I WAS YOUNGER:

There was not a lot of people who supported me in my play when I was younger. I was pretty much left to fend for myself in my childhood. The role of play in my childhood was something I enjoyed with the neighborhood kids. I spent many hours running climbing trees, making “mud pies”, taking whatever we had in the yard and making “a grocery store” and having customers check out.

TODAY'S PLAY VS PLAY WHEN I WAS GROWING UP:

Play today is so different from when I grew up. When I grew up I was outside from the time the sun came up till the street light came on. As a child we made up games, found ways to keep us busy. Days were spent outside except for in the winter. And usually then we spent time between friends’ houses. We stayed at different friends’ houses until we drove their mothers crazy. Play was so important when I was young. I learned so much through imaginary play spent many hours imagining what my adult life would be. Today’s children are so wrapped up in technology that no one gets outdoors. They are worried about what the new trend is; and how they can conquer the next level in that video game. The games live little to imagination. Virtual reality is what is replayed the imagination of the child.

PLAY THROUGHOUT MY LIFE AND THE ROLE IN ADULTHOOD:

The roles of play through my life, and how it has played in my into my adulthood; I would have to say that I believe play has kept my heart young. I have found that working with children has kept me very young. I have found how pretending with children and giving them the childhood I never had has lead me to where I am now in my adult life. I am in a position to foster and help children’s lives grow. I am so grateful for this opportunity to help someone else in their lives, and their imagination.